Is there anything more exciting than receiving a letter in the mail? In our world of texting, messaging, calling, and face timing, the act of writing a letter by hand has become a last art. From my childhood, letters have always been linked to exciting times through Christmas card and birthday party invitations. That feeling of anticipation still comes every time I open my mailbox on campus and see an envelope with my name on it.
As a college freshman, writing letters has reentered my life as a way to stay connected to my friends in a more tangible way then the occasional text. My two best friends and sister still live in Pennsylvania, a long eleven-hour drive away from South Carolina. Writing them letters is a great way for me to stay connected with them, especially when I miss them or feel homesick. Going from seeing them every day to seeing them once every six months is a huge adjustment, so something as simple as seeing their handwriting and writing them back brings us a little closer.
My lovely mom also sends my sister and I encouraging letters about once a week. It's always a highlight of my day when I go to the post office and find an envelope waiting for me. Even though we text every day and I see her often, the handwritten notes from my mom keeps her close and never fails to put a smile on my face.
Writing a letter can be a daunting task. The white space seems to spread out forever, and for someone like me who seems to spell every other word wrong, having no backspace or white out can seem very scary. I find it helpful to first write out your ideas on a scrap piece of paper before committing to the card. This way you can organize your thoughts and have somewhere to practice first. But it's important to remember letters can be as formal or informal as you want them to be. The length of a letter can span from one side of large cursive to front and back minuscule letters, it all depends on how much you want to say, so don't be intimidated by all the blank space in the letter.
Along with your main message, there are many fun ways to jazz up the letter.
Some of my favorites are...
A favorite joke. Example: Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Me: I'd say my biggest weakness is listening.
A shared memory. Example: I included this story in a letter to my sister I sent last week. One late evening, in a delirious sleep deprived, sugar high state, my sister and I sang Beyoncé's "Halo" to our beef jerky as we drove down US route 15. It was weird, but it's a great memory.
A sticker or picture.
A song or movie recommendation. Example: Crazy Rich Asians is a great movie and I've been listening to Brother's Osborne's "I Don't Remember Me" nonstop for weeks.
A fun fact or something you had just learned. Example: A baby puffin is called a puffling."
All these additives are sure to add pizzazz to your letters. So, start by going out and finding a humorous or beautiful looking card, a pen that glides across the paper when you write, and a friend or family member's address. A handwritten note is a quaint, yet effective, way to show someone you love them and are thinking of them.
